FORMER ABSCAM DEFENDANT FACES NEW CHARGES

[Photo from wikipedia]

Former Pennsylvania Congressman Michael Myers was charged this week with conspiring to violate election laws by allegedly bribing an election official to "stuff" the ballot box for candidates who had hired Myers to assist in their campaigns.

As a former federal prosecutor, I once prosecuted the largest vote buying case in American history.

Myers was previously convicted of bribery in 1981 in connection with the infamous Abscam scandal.  During that investigation, Myers was videotaped while accepting a bribe from an undercover agent.  At that time, Myers reportedly had said, on tape, "money talks in this business and bullshit walks."

Of course, Myers is presumed to be innocent, unless and until proven guilty in court.

Election Fraud in Russia

[Photo from wikipedia]

As a former federal prosecutor, I prosecuted a number of election fraud cases, here in Georgia.  Election fraud and vote-buying appear to be a world-wide problem, to one degree or another.  Various news reports indicate that many Russians won't even vote in next week's parliamentary elections simply because they believe the election results will be manipulated.  Nearly fifty percent of those surveyed predicted there will be election fraud.  Vladimir Putin's party is expected to retain a majority in the Russian Parliament next week, but other parties appear to be positioned to post some gains. 

Of course, if Putin's party officials and bureaucrats are counting the votes, then one might wonder why only fifty percent of Russians believe the election results will be rigged!